Protecting Buddhism From Extremist Monks
By Tassie Seneviratne -July 6, 2014
Tassie Seneviratne
There is widespread concern about the betrayal of Buddhism by extremist monks. These concerns have been reflected in the media. The Sunday Times Editorials of May 11th 2014 and June 22nd 2014 were entirely devoted to this serious concern.
I, though a Christian, have the highest respect and regard for Buddhism as it is the religion of over 75% of the people of this country. Buddhism is a cultural heritage of our country that has to be protected and preserved in the manner laid down by its greatest teacher, Gauthama the Buddha. Due to its long history of Buddhism, our country is known as the Dhamma Dveepaya – the Island of Buddhism. No lesser person than the enlightened Buddha has himself told his disciples that if they wished to honour him, they should follow his teachings. His teachings have been divided into three main disciplines:-
- Pubba Hasi – Pleasant appearance; a smiling and friendly face.
- Pubba Bhasi – Pleasant and friendly speech.
- Pubba Kari — Pleasant and friendly action.
It is the breakdown in these disciplines that has led to conflict, hate and violence that are spreading throughout the country raising serious concerns in all right thinking people of all religions. Loving kindness, compassion, equanimity, patience, tolerance and endurance are religious attributes generally common to Buddhism and Christianity – in fact to all religions. Hence there is no justification at all for religious intolerance. The enlightened Buddha preached these attributes 500 years before the advent of Jesus Christ the Messiah.
The danger today is that there are some people wielding enormous power who are misusing religious fervor for personal agendas. The irony is that under cover of protecting Buddhism they are resorting to means diametrically opposed to the disciplines taught by the enlightened Buddha, thereby betraying Buddhism wholesale. Age old dirty tricks of unrighteous leaders, to distract the people when there is unrest in the country and their dues cannot be met, keep coming to the fore. Shakespeare, through King Henry IV talking from his deathbed to his son at his succession, puts it like this :
“ ………….God knows, my son, Read More
Tassie Seneviratne
